Concerns raised on Parkfield estate regeneration plans

THE next stage of the multi-million-pound regeneration of Stockton’s Parkfield estate is going out to public consultation.

Pam Perks (left) and Mary Andrews are among residents concerned over plans for Phase Two of the Parkfield Regeneration

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THE next stage of the multi-million-pound regeneration of Stockton’s Parkfield estate is going out to public consultation.

But local residents have already raised concerns the plans would leave an “eyesore” terrace standing alongside the proposed new family homes, bungalows and apartments.

They say a terraced row at the bottom of Tarring Street - owned by private landlords - will stand “like the Berlin Wall” between their homes and the new estate.

Since 2006, Stockton Council has been acquiring and demolishing hundreds of terraced houses in the area around Buchanan Street, Dean Street, Tarring Street and Worthing Street to prepare for its regeneration.

But the scheme was left in limbo when the Government unexpectedly cut its Housing Market Renewal (HMR) funding last year.

Large areas were grassed over once houses were demolished - in preparation for future redevelopment.

After Stockton and other councils lobbied the Government for help, the housing minister offered a transition fund to move stalled projects forward, including £1.52m for the Parkfield/Mill Lane area.

Now Tees Valley Housing (TVH), part of the Fabrick Housing Group, is working in partnership with Stockton Council on Phase Two of the Parkfield regeneration.

The landlord and developer is proposing to build a further 118 new homes for rent and shared ownership in the area.

Stockton’s cabinet this week gave their support to progressing Phase Two of the development - but not before local residents from the neighbouring Ewbank Gardens raised concerns.

Pam Perks told councillors: “We are totally in favour of this area being redeveloped, we just want it to include the Tarring Street houses, which are the biggest eyesore.

“Why is this decrepit terrace on Tarring Street still standing like a blot on the landscape? We want them to develop the whole site.”

Neighbour Mary Andrews said: “It will be just like the Berlin Wall with this one street still standing.”

The cabinet heard that the council was “currently in discussions” with the private landlords of seven properties, five of which are in the ownership of one landlord.

Neil Schneider, chief executive of Stockton Council, told the residents: “We hear the concerns you have got, but to some degree you have to trust us. We want the same high quality development as the outcome.”

Plans for Phase Two of the development will be on display in Habinteg Community Centre, Scarth Walk, Stockton, on Wednesday, December 12, from 2.30-6.30pm, when staff will be on hand to answer any questions.

Residents will be given the opportunity to give feedback and make comments on the proposals at the special consultation event.

Doug Ross, managing director of Tees Valley Housing, said: “This is the next stage of a massive regeneration project that will make a huge difference to Stockton and its people, and that’s why we really want to urge as many of them as possible to come along and have a look at the plans for the site.

“Getting the views of local people is a vital part of this process and we will take these into account as the project moves on.”

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “It is encouraging and exciting to be at this next stage of the regeneration of Parkfield.

“We are committed to this large-scale scheme on this Brownfield site and the mixture of houses, bungalows, apartments and open green spaces will appeal to a wide range of prospective residents making this an attractive redevelopment.”